CD26 Identifies a Subpopulation of Fibroblasts that Produce the Majority of Collagen during Wound Healing in Human Skin.

ABSTRACT: Fibroblasts produce collagens and other proteins that form the bulk of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in connective tissues. Emerging data point to functional heterogeneity of fibroblasts. However, the lack of subtype-specific markers hinders our understanding of the different roles of fibroblasts in ECM biology, wound healing, diseases, and aging. We have investigated the utility of the cell surface protein CD26 to identify functionally distinct fibroblast subpopulations in human skin. Using flow cytometry and immunohistology, we found that CD26, in combination with the cell surface glycoprotein CD90, identifies a distinct subpopulation of cells, which express relatively high levels of COL1A1, a hallmark of fibroblasts. Importantly, the population of CD26⁺ fibroblasts is select

SUBMITTER: Worthen CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7655599 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature